Thailand
Koh Samui → Koh Tao
The fast catamaran from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, Thailand’s scuba-diving island, usually calling at Koh Phangan. It completes the classic three-island hop in the Gulf of Thailand.
Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry at a glance
The ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao takes 1h 25m – 2h 30m (longer with a change on Koh Phangan or on the slow ferry) across the Gulf of Thailand, operated by Lomprayah, Boonsiri High Speed Ferries and Songserm. It is a foot-passenger service; vehicles are not carried. Typical frequency: about 18 departures daily from Pralarn (Maenam), Bangrak and Nathon piers.
Crossing times and frequencies are typical figures and vary by season. Confirm the current timetable with the operator or booking partner before you travel. Route facts last reviewed 2026-11-02.
Sources: lomprayah.com · boonsiriferry.com · songserm.com · lomprayah.com · How we verify
Return crossing: Koh Tao to Koh Samui
Lomprayah and Boonsiri High Speed Ferries and Songserm also sail Koh Tao to Koh Samui, taking 1h 25m – 2h 30m (longer with a change on Koh Phangan or on the slow ferry). From Koh Tao (Mae Haad) Lomprayah leaves for Pralarn at 07:05 (speedboat, arr. 08:30), 09:30 (11:30), 15:30 (17:30) and 16:30 (ferry, 19:30); for Bangrak at 09:15 (11:15), 11:30 (direct speedboat, 13:00) and 12:30 (14:10); and for Nathon at 09:30 (11:30). Boonsiri leaves at 08:00 for Nathon (10:00) and at 09:15 and 15:15 for Bangrak (11:30, 17:45), 700 THB. Songserm leaves for Nathon at 09:30 (ferry, arr. 13:00, 600 THB) and 11:30 (speedboat, arr. 13:05, 800 THB).
Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry timetable & sailing pattern
About 18 departures a day from Samui’s three north- and west-coast piers (Pralarn/Maenam, Bangrak and Nathon) between 08:00 and 16:00: Lomprayah (12), Boonsiri (3) and Songserm (3). Direct catamarans and speedboats take 1h 25m – 2h; some boats call at Koh Phangan or change there, Lomprayah’s 11:00 ferry from Pralarn takes 2h 30m and Songserm’s 10:30 ferry from Nathon 3h 45m. Fares run from 550 to 800 THB pier to pier.
Boonsiri’s times and fares are for 1 October 2026 – 31 May 2027. Lomprayah’s are from its Timetable 2026, which it calls an estimate subject to weather conditions. Songserm’s timetable page shows one day at a time; the times here are for a date in early December 2026.
Published departure times
- Lomprayah from Pralarn (Maenam): 08:00 (arr. 09:30), 11:00 ferry (arr. 13:30), 12:30 (arr. 14:15), 14:30 speedboat (arr. 16:00)
- Lomprayah from Bangrak: 08:00* (arr. 10:00), 10:30 (arr. 12:15), 11:30* (arr. 14:15), 12:30 (arr. 14:30), 14:30* (arr. 17:45), 15:30 direct speedboat (arr. 17:00) — *change onto the catamaran at Koh Phangan
- Lomprayah from Nathon: 12:15 (arr. 14:15), 16:00 (arr. 17:45)
- Boonsiri: Bangrak 08:00 (arr. 09:50), 12:30 (arr. 14:30); Nathon 14:35 (arr. 16:25)
- Songserm: Nathon 10:30 ferry (arr. 14:15); Bangrak (Petcherat Pier) speedboats 09:30 (arr. 10:55), 11:30 (arr. 14:15)
Return: From Koh Tao (Mae Haad) Lomprayah leaves for Pralarn at 07:05 (speedboat, arr. 08:30), 09:30 (11:30), 15:30 (17:30) and 16:30 (ferry, 19:30); for Bangrak at 09:15 (11:15), 11:30 (direct speedboat, 13:00) and 12:30 (14:10); and for Nathon at 09:30 (11:30). Boonsiri leaves at 08:00 for Nathon (10:00) and at 09:15 and 15:15 for Bangrak (11:30, 17:45), 700 THB. Songserm leaves for Nathon at 09:30 (ferry, arr. 13:00, 600 THB) and 11:30 (speedboat, arr. 13:05, 800 THB).
Timetables change by season and date. Check exact departures for your travel date on the official timetable.
Official Lomprayah timetable →Check prices & book on 12Go →Source: Lomprayah Timetable 2026; Boonsiri timetable 1 Oct 2026 – 31 May 2027; Songserm online timetable. Verified 2026-11-02.
Maritime Crossing Route Map
Interactive sea passage between Koh Samui and Koh Tao
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Operators on This Route
| Operator | Crossing Time | Vessels |
|---|---|---|
| Lomprayah | 1h 30m – 2h 30m (up to 3h 15m with a change on Koh Phangan) | High-speed catamarans |
| Boonsiri High Speed Ferries | 1h 50m – 2h 30m | High-speed catamaran |
| Songserm | 1h 25m – 2h 45m (speedboat), 3h 45m (ferry from Nathon) | Express 1 (speedboat), R5 (ferry), R9 (ferry) |
Route Features
Vehicles
Foot passengers only
Foot Passengers
Walk-on passengers welcome
Pets
No pet facilities
Distance
38 nautical miles
Getting There & Onward Transport
- Mae Haad pier is in Koh Tao’s main village; taxis serve Sairee Beach and the dive resorts
- Fast boats continue from Koh Tao to Chumphon for buses and trains to Bangkok
- From Samui Airport, Lomprayah and Boonsiri sell through tickets with the van to the pier included (850 THB to Koh Tao); otherwise Lomprayah’s van around Koh Samui costs 150 THB per person per trip
- Lomprayah’s 08:00 catamaran from Pralarn also calls at Koh Nangyuan (arr. 09:45, 700 THB)
Tips for the Koh Samui to Koh Tao Crossing
- Check the pier on your ticket: Pralarn (Maenam), Bangrak and Nathon are up to 15 km apart, and a Bangrak ticket may mean Songserm’s own Petcherat Pier.
- Lomprayah asks you to be at its pier office 60 minutes before departure; one bag up to 20 kg is included.
- Boats marked as changing at Koh Phangan (Lomprayah 08:00, 11:30 and 14:30 from Bangrak) take longer; for the quickest trip pick a direct boat.
- Lomprayah says its timetable is an estimate subject to weather conditions, and its tickets are non-refundable (one free date change within 90 days, requested at least 2 days before travel).